RECENT POSTS
Lessons in Commercial Lease Charges: Incorrect Estimates Could Lead to Fraud Claims
Real Estate Litigation Attorney by Nicholas Kanter 818-907-3289 A recent decision from the California Court of Appeals should give commercial landlords pause before providing estimated common area maintenance charges (CAM) and other lease expenses to prospective tenants.
Creating a Living Trust Makes (Dollars and) Sense
by Robert A. Hull “How much will it cost?” For estate planning attorneys, this is usually the follow-up question we’re asked after “Do I need a Trust or Will?” After discussing a prospective client’s estate
Mmmmm…Donuts – Slam Dunkin’ a Sweet Opportunity for Franchisees?
State Bar Certified Specialist, Franchise & Distribution Lawby Tal Grinblat 818.907.3284 Some say it’s the coffee. Others say it’s a fresh, hip menu and new look to go with the old favorites. Whatever the case,
Maximizing Annual Gifts
Trusts & Estate Planning Attorney by Kira S. Masteller 818.907.3244 Individuals with estates that are valued over the Federal estate tax exemption ($5,250,000 in 2013) should consider making annual gifts to their family now so
How Does the DOMA Ruling Affect Estate Planning?
Trusts & Estate Planning Attorney by Kira S. Masteller 818.907.3244 The United States Supreme Court’s ruling on Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) on June 26, declaring the definition of marriage as
Wacky Employee Claims: Reasonable Accommodations for Unreasonable Requests?
Employment Defense by Nicole Kamm 818.907.3235 As an employment defense attorney, I often think I’ve heard it all: every conceivable employee complaint, late-to-work excuse, and “reasonable” accommodation request. Still, from time to time, I come
Tony Soprano’s Run In With the Tax Man
by Robert A. Hull Many of us who were fans of the HBO show about a fictional New Jersey mafia family, The Sopranos, and actor James Gandolfini in particular (who played mob boss Tony
Post-DOMA for Employers
With the dust just settling on Wednesday’s ruling on the Defense of Marriage Act, or DOMA, and Proposition 8 federal court opinions, now is the time for employers to consider the potential impact on their
Designated Beneficiary Assets: Consider Your Income, Capital Gains & Estate Taxes
Trusts & Estate Planning Attorney by Kira S. Masteller 818.907.3244 In the third segment of our series regarding Gift Tax & Estate Planning, we’ll examine assets that require designated beneficiaries, specifically: IRA accounts, retirement accounts, life
Using Life Insurance and Irrevocable Trusts in Estate Planning
Trusts & Estate Planning Attorney by Kira S. Masteller 818.907.3244 Continuing with Part 2 of our Gift Tax and Estate Planning blog series (we discussed Living Trusts in Part 1 of the series), we now